Fictional film provides an opportunity to breathe life into the application of academic concepts by capturing the attention and imagination of students. Using the 2009 hit movie "Avatar", it is argued that popular fiction has the potential to help students grasp the dynamics of imperial/indigenous relationships in part because it removes the discussion from the level of historical and personal blame and into the realm of a science fiction adventure. While film may seem natural to today's media-exposed students and instructors interested in creative approaches to illustrate class material, limitations and concerns are also discussed.